44. We discussed the situation in the Gaza. We emphasised that the welfare and well being of the Palestinian people in the Gaza was of paramount importance. We called for the unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people throughout the Gaza in order to help alleviate their plight. We supported all efforts, regional and international, aimed at achieving a durable ceasefire on the ground.

45. We stressed the importance of promoting recovery and rehabilitation in the Gaza and the need for sustained international assistance in this regard. In this connection, we urged active participation by all countries concerned in an International Conference on Gaza Reconstruction organized by Egypt in Sharm El-Sheikh on 2 March. We welcomed efforts to achieve reconciliation amongst the Palestinian people and in particular the latest agreement between Palestinian factions to establish committees to address the formation of a unity government. We called for renewed efforts by all parties concerned and the international community to achieve a comprehensive peace based on the vision of a region where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace with secure and recognised borders, as envisaged in UN Security Council resolution 1850 (2008), and the Arab Peace Initiative. Towards this end, talks between the Israeli and Palestinian sides should be held as soon as possible.